Like the title and summary says- I'm at the crossroads of either the Prairie 360 or the Arctic Cat 400 4x4. I was initially drawn to the P360 because of it's features; EBC CVT and lockable front diff among my favorates, I could live with it but could use a little more grunt. Barring multi- cylinder engines the AC400 caught my eye. I've tallied up everything about it, especially like the 4.5+ gal. gas tank, ground clearance and IRS- my primary uses will be clawing up hills and running in snow. Couple questions for those who own one of these units. Does the AC have and engine braking mechanism of sorts? And I see that the engine has 4 valves- hows the low end torque?
Thanks...........

 

<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: kwackermann

Like the title and summary says- I'm at the crossroads of either the Prairie 360 or the Arctic Cat 400 4x4. I was initially drawn to the P360 because of it's features; EBC CVT and lockable front diff among my favorates, I could live with it but could use a little more grunt. Barring multi- cylinder engines the AC400 caught my eye. I've tallied up everything about it, especially like the 4.5+ gal. gas tank, ground clearance and IRS- my primary uses will be clawing up hills and running in snow. Couple questions for those who own one of these units. Does the AC have and engine braking mechanism of sorts? And I see that the engine has 4 valves- hows the low end torque?

Thanks...........</end quote></div>

In my opinion the Prairie 360 is not even in the same league as the AC 400. With the AC 400 to 650 at least - the machines are basically the same except for engine size. It just depends on how fast you want to go.
The AC has very good engine braking. The 400 has plenty of low end grunt to handle just about any situation you may get yourself into.
The IRS and weight of the AC's, along with superior GC and wheel travel make it a very good Utility, with tremendous abilities. I am mostly a woods rider and needed a machine to tackle just about any situation that the trail could throw at me with the highest success rate - the AC gives this to me.
I don't have a front locker on mine, but even still with the GC and aggressive tires I have been able to get places other machines with lockers can't. If you get one with a locker then you have a true locker and none of this part-time, viscous crap. When it is locked in then it is locked. You make the choice not the machine, like some machines that think riders are mindless and the machine decides when a locker is needed.
If you want a machine to take on the tough stuff and get you there and back then AC is your best bet.
Only down fall probably will be that you may not win every drag-race. - but then again they were not designed for drag-racing. But because they are heavy you may win most pulling contest.
The 400 Suzuki engine used in the AC, is a very reliable and tough motor. Turn the key and it starts - every time.
Hope this helps

 

I would have to agree with Buck.
I own a 500 and A griz 700. I can do more pulling with my AC 500 then i can with the griz. The AC rides very well over ruff terain. Mine has 150hrs, and 1700miles. The only problem I have had was the gas gage wasn't accurate. Very dependable, I use it to hunt, fish, and trail ride.

 

Thatnks guys- the AC looks great, and it comes in my color. I'll check out the 500, too now while I'm at it, since/ if it weighs the same. I'd really like to stay with a single cylinder engine, preferrably air cooled.............

 

I thought I would like the air cooled too but in the winter when you have the front end burried with snow, there is no air flow and the muffler gets red hot. How about when you are not going fast and working the bike hard, the engine will get too hot cause you are not getting any air circulation. I was in the same delema in 2004 when I got my AC 300. I shopped around and kinda liked the Prarrie 360 but for the price, I went with the 300 and then upgraded to the 500 which is liquid cooled. This machine rocks.

Good luck but you won't be the least bit dissapionted with the Cat..Just look at the Arcitc Cat forum. There are not nearly as many posts cause we are all out riding and not on our computers finding out why the machine is broken [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

 

One last thing to pester you all with- thanks for putting up with my questions. How loud, or noticeable is the CVT on the CAT? P360 people have expressed concern that the beast runs at a high RPM and is somewhat noisy. I've also cound out that for '07 the 400 Cats get a ratio change in the axles from 3.5 to 4.0, for increased torque they said. Does anyone have an 07 Cat and can elaborate?
Thanks again...........

 

I had a AC400 and my cousin had a P360. Speed wise they were about the same, but the AC had A LOT more power for pulling, etc. I had mine when we lived in Alaska and I used it to pack out my moose [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-happy.gif[/img] I also used it to plow my driveway, it was a long driveway and we had over 15 feet of snow one year and I was able to keep it plowed with the 400. It performed great, for everything I needed it to. I love the ground clearance too. For the CVT, I never noticed any noise from it. I also couldn't tell you anything about the change in gear ratios. One thing I can tell you is that the AC400 engine takes about 300 miles to get broken in. It is quite a dog until the 200 mile mark, then at 300 it is like a whole new engine. Good luck to you.

 

Thanks guys-------- still teetering but it's getting clearer...........

 

I recently bought a leftover 2006 400 and have about 400 miles one it. The thing has really woken up! I give a ringing endorsement to what everyone has said and to this machine! It is a great machine. I think it's a no brainer... go with the Cat!!!

 

All CVT have engine braking now and I never heard of a noisy one maybe the P360 had a problem?